The Darling Side of Rock & Roll.

Almost fifty years ago, in April 1^st 1961, The Beatles began their three month residency at the Top Ten Club (Hamburg) playing 92 straight nights. So I thought, 50 years on, it was only fair to review the two LP’s never to be forgotten; which are of course: The Beatles Red and Blue. Two primary colours that captured a platter of recorded gold.

In 1973, the one band arresting the hearts and souls of people all over the world, released an album encompassing a flawless compilation of treasured tracks; 1962-1966’s Red album, emitted with its counterpart, 1967-1970’s Blue album. From The Beatles Love me Do to Let it Be, it is clear that the bands archetypal quality was at its supreme best; reaching number three in the UK album chart, and even achieving that number one spot with our friends across the pond.

But overlooking factual verification of the bands’ success, I am to take a nostalgic return into the depths of The Beatles’ rock and roll revolution.

Throughout this rosy compilation, the track list essentially boxes a lyrical devotion to falling in love; I Want to Hold Your Hand, Can’t Buy Me Love and even A Hard Day’s Night ooze a warm illustration of affection. This creation of sweet love songs, however, is not solely down to Lennon and McCartney’s poetic verse; the instrumental involvement of Ringo Star and George Harrison seams together to produce their melodically charming sound. A sound that can be compared to no other; The Beatles Red Album confined a musical revolution, the darling side of rock and roll.

Journeying onto the notorious Blue album, this talented four piece seemingly tiptoed away from sugary love songs, and began to focus more on metaphorical lyrics; complimenting their traditional sound of harmonica whistles and acoustic strum. Get Back, Strawberry Fields Forever and Back in the U.S.S.R unite this sentimental collection of poignant tunes, evidently augmenting the band’s influential sound and increasingly successful status.

Embracing the soil of sweet rock and roll, The Beatles significant contribution to music is greatly apparent in these glorious collections of music. Evidently, Red and Blue are fundamentally the two colours in the music industry that have never, and will never, loose their mojo.

The World's Gone Gaga...

With the splurge of rising 'talent' that trickled out of Tuesday nights Brit Awards, I came to wonder about the fate of the Noughties. Since the blossoming 1900's, each decade has never failed to capture a pool of musical promise; voices that moulded each era, to this day, hold a prominent accommodation in the world's album collection. This summons the wonderment regarding which artists of now, will actually be fondly remembered and continue to play as 30 years trickles on in time. I have to admit, with the noise of tin-like beats and autotuned voice..it's not quite shaping out to be a decade we can be proud of!

Although I may be a biased soul, as i can't help but worship the vintage hums of a world pre - Gaga; however, the struggle to find modern comparisons with history's musical greats remains a fragment of impossibility. Nostalgia derives from the darling 1950's, an era known for conjuring the sensational Elvis Presley; whilst the swinging 60's discovered our rock&roll lads, The Beatles.

Continuing onto the 80's, which admittedly held a jumble-sale of questionable music; but still managed to highlight the likes of David Bowie, Madonna, and of course, The Smiths. A group in rebellion with 1980's techno scene, using keyboards and melodic voice to put an influential stamp on the decade. Later brought the 1990's, Oasis and Blur, two bands that introduced a fresh genre in music, the Britpop revolution.

Evidently, this bubbles up a lining of doubt in 21st century sound. As the clocks tick forward and time progresses, can we truly remember Cheryl Cole as the Noughties' musical prodigy?! It seems the modern way to reach fame is not through talent, but through the paparazzi. Apparently, the hideously mainstream chart tracks of today behold acts like Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk and N-Dubz; lets hope I'm not the only sole praying for the tedious culture of  R&B to return to the ghetto! If only JLS would back flip their way out of the Top 40 and make way for true musicians to mark the Noughties with real talent. Fingers crossed Mumford & Sons...

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Rocking Treasures.. :)

Last year, me and the girls jumped on a last minute holiday to enjoy the sweltering heat of Turkey. As we eagerly perched on the edge of our seats in Thomas Cook, the intense excitement that spilled out of our smiling faces was an emotion that could only be conjured by the promise of sun, sea and shots! However this year, we would have no such luck; our holiday bender was an absolute failure..due to 'insufficient funds' on my part! In other words with minus pennies that sat in my bank account, the holiday became an impossibility; consequently our hope for a 7day glorious piss up was unfortunately out of reach for summer 2010.

So in order to look on a positive angle, i decided to use my weekly wages on charming additions to our new house at Wilton Avenue..my first purchase was one that i will absolutely treasure forever. A few days ago, once finishing my shift that consisted of serving cappuccinos and tuna sandwiches, i took a stroll down Hythe high street. Roaming in and out of the charity shops i stumbled across an old antique shop which captured a range of archaic treats; such as grand father clocks, classic vinyl, plus a pretty Victorian dressing table...to name a few. Although i adored many pieces within the shop, one number stood far above the rest..and that had to be the beautiful white, wooden rocking chair that sat in the corner of the room !!

With the traditional oak flooring and the old-fashioned fire place in my lovely room, i feel that this charismatic chair would be the perfect accompaniment, therefore there was no other option..it simply HAD to be mine :) I never imagined that i would ever become so excitable about furniture! But it seems that this delectable rocking chair has stolen my heart..

To add to the English country house theme of my new room, i popped into British Red Cross earlier today and managed to bag a gorgeous white wicker basket for as little as 50pence! Can't beat a bargain :) Now with my delicious furniture and adorable basket i am slowly building up my room to appear like an 80 year-old's cottage...perfection :)

So with a few more sneaky purchases, hopefully frying in the sun and downing sangria will be pedalled out of my mind with one rock on my lovable chair and a blissful peak at my enchanting basket. And if all else fails..there's always a cheeky sunbed !

Walt 'Horny' Disney..

When heading to cinema earlier this week, we came to the conclusion that the long-awaited new Toy Story film was a must see over all the other options. So we ventured to Ashford where we grabbed a cheeky lunch in the ever so 'stylish' Beefeater just minutes walk from Cineworld. After the meal we excitedly strolled over to buy our tickets; as the opening titles appeared, i couldn't hold back my childish delight as I was always a big fan of Woody and the gang. Embarrassingly, to this day, my Woody doll remains rested on my windowsill at my Dad's house!! Still a kid at heart i guess..

Well anyway, the film was incredible! Far better than i actually imagined; the way that Walt Disney has always captured such a varied audience in his films must be the key to his success. The adult humour weaved into the PG storyline was pure excellence; a favourite aspect of the movie had to be when Buzz transformed into a Spanish Hero, his accidental change of tongue turned him into a Spanish speaking heartthrob and won over the affection of the lovable cowgirl Jessy, with the help of his impressive salsa dance moves! And i can't forget the character Ken, with his 'pretty boy' appearance and the hilarious costume change scene. Consequently, it is a must see for summer 2010.

But once i had watched this follow-on from the original classic, i remembered an intriguing factor i had heard about Walt Disney's shocking 'additions' to many of his forever adored films. This was of course the suspicions of subliminal messages filtered into these childlike stories; including films such as Lion King and Aladdin. So in order to check out these messages for ourselves, we logged onto YouTube to gather evidence on the accusations. From what it seems in a large number of scenes throughout many of the Disney classics, the word 'Sex' has subtly been injected into objects within the background; places like in the leaves, or the shape of clouds..this is where the word will be found. As it is impressively camouflaged, it is cleverly invisible to the eye unless you are aware of its existence. However, Aladdin holds a far more alarming subliminal in a certain scene where he is peering out of the window and very quietly mutters "Good teenagers take off your clothes." (Click on the image of Walt above for a link to this video).

Although these may be just hearsay, after watching clips of each scene i do believe they exist within the films. Which makes me wonder that even the purest and most innocent aspects within this world have the potential and possibility to taint our minds. As children, it is a well known fact that their minds soak up information like a sponge; therefore as they watch their favourite Disney hero's saving the world, they are unaware that they're apparently being corrupted with the idea of sex! So no wonder young girls out there are '16 and pregnant'! Thanks to the King of childhood entertainment, the lovely Walt Disney and his mischievous imagination, we are being subtly encouraged to unzip our jeans and dance the horizontal hula! Who'd of thought it.. Never again will i look at Simba or Hercules in the same way again..kinky bastards !

"Living in Hythe is like Training to be Old."

Cecil Beaton's iconic 1934 'Hat Box'.

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace or the slaves of the ordinary!" (CECIL BEATON). In simple words, don't be afraid to be brave.

As Beaton had a great interest in fashion photography, i can only believe that this aspiring message was directed to style and how the world should embrace individuality and unconventionality in dress, rather than being hesitant to contradict the generalisations in fashion. I am very much a fashion enthusiast; i love reading about it, learning about it, looking at it, buying into it..the list goes on. However, there have been many occasions when i visit a store and i rule off certain outfits due to their outlandish appearance. I truly admire the people who flaunt their fashion extravagance with no concern if others dislike or sneer at the unusual style, although I'm not sure that my little home-town would be ready for 'underwear as outerwear' or see-through fabrics! With a town oozing with OAPs, tearooms and charity shops, walking down the high-street in a maxi dress may cause multiple strokes! I was recently enjoying a nice hot chocolate and a pot of tea with a few friends, the conversation lead onto the excitement of Hythe. Jon gave the perfect definition to our stale home-town: "Living in Hythe is like training to be old." That quote has stuck in my mind ever since. I might as well hobble down the high-street in a woolly jumper and beige flats!

However, as i have quite a quirky and girlish dress sense, i feel i can avoid appearing too flamboyant and inordinate whilst walking past all the Betty's and Albert's shuffling through town. However, recently i have had a desire to delve into the delicious land of jumpsuits! Although I'm only 5'3 and not exactly model height for this unlikely new trend, i can't resist the urge to splurge! There are so many colours and styles that i simply adore, but there is that one fraction that keeps the purse glued inside my satchel...Hythe. I can only dream that one day I'll live in an area like London or Brighton, where the excitement in fashion is far from hidden and is in-fact celebrated. Hythe is camouflaging my passion for fashion! So to take note of Beaton's wise words, screw all the Betty's and Albert's, if we want to strut down the high-street in a cheeky jumpsuit and some delectable brogues..we shall!! No longer will we play it safe; Coco Channel stated: "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." So Hythe, get ready for bras over tees and high waisted hot pants.. :)

Soccer Vs Speidi..

As the world cup kicks off and is in full swing, i thought I'd tune in to the celebratory opening; but after watching hours of African dancing and colourful parades, i decided to divert my attention to a programme of far more importance than the footy!! And that is of course..The Hills :)

The series that follows the drama-injected lives of fabulously superficial Americans has never been so gripping. With Stephanie Pratt's jail sentence for drink driving, Kristin Cavallari's alleged drug problems, Spencer Pratt's obsession with his 'psychic' crystals, Audrina Partridge's constant love affairs, and of course not forgetting Heidi Pratt's outrageous surgery addiction. However, i then began to wonder if your place of residence truly does have a significant impact on the person we become; such as the clothes we purchase or the personalities we adopt.

In the very first few seasons of The Hills, i would go as far as to say that Heidi was a rather normal being! I feel that her once grounded personality simply must have been a reflection of her childhood up-bringing and home-town; the snowy, isolated land of Colorado, as it is far removed from the suffocating world of plastic pressures. Therefore, Heidi was a confident and happy young women, but as she moved to LA the temptations arose as she began to mold her body into society's version of 'perfection.' Watching the rapid deterioration of these characters mental health seems a tad wrong, but the voyeuristic incentives to watch the show is a guilty pleasure that i simply can't resist!

However, regarding the infamous World Cup, i have to confess that i do adore the way in which Britain suddenly turns immensely passionate and patriotic throughout the period. So to show my support for the England boys, i will be momentarily forgetting the lives of Audrina and Speidi as i cheer on the lads! But as soon as the season has come to a conclusion..i can't wait to snatch the remote and escape into the frivolous lives of the Hollywood theatricals that is of course The Hills!!